The LIHEAP benefit is calculated using an eligible household's size, income, fuel type, and heating region.
Household Size-
Household Size values range from 1-20.
Income-
The household's income, after all allowable exclusions and deductions, is categorized by the bracket in which it falls. Brackets begin at $0 and increase in $1,000 increments:
[$0-$999]
[$1,000-$1,999]
[$2,000- $2,999]
etc.
Each bracket is associated with a different benefit multiplier. the lowest income brackets are associated with higher multipliers.
Fuel Type-
Fuel types include:
701- Electric
702- Fuel Oil
703- Coal
704- Natural Gas
705- Kerosene
706- Propane or Bottled Gas
707- Wood/Other
708- Blended Fuel (defined strictly as a 50/50 blend of fuel oil and kerosene)
The values associated with each fuel type depend on the cost of the fuel in the household's county of residence. these values are subject to change each program year.
Heating Region-
Counties are categorized by 5 heating regions, determined by NOAA climate data.
|
State Heating Region |
Counties |
|
1 |
Bradford, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Lackawanna, Luzerne, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming |
|
2 |
Blair, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Erie, Jefferson, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset, Venango, Warren |
|
3 |
Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Butler, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Westmoreland |
|
4 |
Adams, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Dauphin, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Juniata, Lebanon, Lehigh, Mifflin, Northampton, Perry, Snyder, Union, Washington |
|
5 |
Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia, York |
Issued August 24, 2017